Sargent grad takes 337th MI BN command

Posted Jul 15, 2017

RUCKERSVILLE, VA. — Sargent High School graduate Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan E. Velasquez, son of Gene and Edna Velasquez, recently participated in the Change of Command ceremonies as the Incoming Commander for the 337th MI BN.

LTC Velasquez enlisted into the Colorado Army National Guard as a 91B, Combat Medic, in February 1992. In December 1999 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps.

LTC Velasquez earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M. Additionally, he attended the Army Medical Specialist Course in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is a Battlefield Instructor Training Course graduate, attended the Military Intelligence Officer Basic and Captains Career Courses at the U.S. Army Military Intelligence School in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officers Course.

LTC Velasquez’s first duty assignment was at 297th MI Battalion, Fort Gordon, Georgia where he first served as Financial Management Officer in 2000. In 2001 he deployed as the Intel Support Element OIC for Operation Southern Watch, U.S. Army Central Command-Kuwait. Upon returning, he became Imagery Platoon Leader, C Company.

After 911 he became the Battalion Targeting Officer and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon returning, he became the Battalion S1 and deployed with the battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002. He also worked as the Battalion Training Officer.

LTC Velasquez later joined the Army Reserve and has served as S3 Operations Watch Officer, National Imagery Operations Officer and Identity Intelligence Operations Officer at the National Ground Intelligence Center, Charlottesville, Virginia. He has also previously served as the Executive Officer, NSA Support Command, Military Intelligence Readiness Command.

His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals and the Army Service Ribbon.

Currently LTC Velasquez resides in Ruckersville, Virginia, with his wife Leslie and two children, daughter Jenna and son Luke.